Mary Papayya

Mary Papayya

An urgent inquiry has been launched into the dumping of hypodermic needles outside a Durban primary school.

This after two pupils at Clairwood Boys' Primary pricked each other with the needles they had found in the dumped boxes.

The pupils had to undergo an HIV-Aids test. One of them is still awaiting the results while the other tested negative.

The boxes containing the needles, some used, were dumped by unknown persons.

Most of the needles had the original packaging intact.

Health spokesman Leon Mbangwa said the department would investigate the origins of the boxes and whether they came from a government or a private institution.

He said they would work closely with police on the matter.

"We cannot allow anyone to recklessly dump such dangerous refuse that poses a danger to children and the community.

"The needles are highly dangerous equipment to dispose of on open ground. It is common sense that medical practitioners do not dispose of such equipment anywhere. They have to incinerate them because they are a health hazard," he said.